Macmillan Children's Books triumphs in five-way auction for award-winning McNicoll's YA debut

Macmillan Children’s Books has won two YA titles from children’s author Elle McNicoll in a hotly-contested five-publisher auction.

World rights in all languages were acquired jointly by Emma Jones, editorial director, and Eileen Rothschild, vice-president and associate publisher at Wednesday Books, an imprint of Macmillan USA, from Lauren Gardner at Bell Lomax Moreton.

This is the first time the author will be writing for an older audience. The first book, Some Like it Cold, will publish in paperback in autumn 2024, supported by a "major" marketing and PR campaign. McNicoll’s second standalone novel will be published in summer 2025.

Some Like it Cold follows 18-year-old Jasper Montgomery, who is heading home for the holidays. The synopsis continues: “She doesn’t plan to literally crash her older sister’s high-profile engagement, but under the eyes of nosy neighbours and the camera of wannabe documentary maker Arthur Lancaster, Jasper’s homecoming is anything but under-the-radar.

“Jasper came home to Lake Pristine for one reason: to say goodbye. During the holidays, old relationships come to light, tensions rise and a certain brooding film buff starts to look like a very big reason to stay. Can Jasper decide what she wants from Arthur, and from Lake Pristine, before she leaves them both forever?”

McNicoll, whose debut book A Kind of Spark (Knights Of) won the Blue Peter Prize for Best Story 2021 and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2021, said: "I’m so delighted to be writing YA romance with Macmillan. I’ve lived for love stories my entire life, be they in novels or old movies, so this feels like coming home. Jasper is the most revealing and reflective heroine I’ve ever written, and I’m so grateful and thrilled that Macmillan has taken a neurodivergent love story and given it a home.”

Jones said: “The quality of Elle’s writing speaks for itself. Her novels are always full of heart and brimming with unforgettable characters, and they’ve resonated with readers and booksellers the world over. We couldn’t be more excited that Elle has turned her pen to writing for young adults where, in Some Like it Cold, she has crafted an unputdownable romance full of warmth and wit. Jasper is the protagonist the YA market has been craving. I can’t wait to introduce her to readers, and welcome Elle to Macmillan.”

Belinda Ioni Rasmussen, m.d. of Macmillan Children’s Books, added: “We are delighted that Elle has chosen to join us at Macmillan for her YA novels. Elle’s voice naturally fits into our long-established and successful list for older readers, which includes well-known names such as Judy Blume, Tomi Adeyemi and Dustin Thao. With her YA novels, Elle brings her unique storytelling to a new audience and we can’t wait for readers to discover her heart-warming romantic stories.”